As spring weather warms, many people start to notice purple martins. These colorful birds are a welcome sign of the season and can be seen throughout North America. They are highly social, building large nesting colonies in well-established sites, and often roosting together by the thousands.

In a good season, the number of martins can be quite high, but they face the same threats that impact other bird species ? competition with other birds for nest sites and habitat loss. Fortunately, we can help by providing the housing they need to thrive.

Today, purple martins nest almost exclusively in human-supplied bird houses, from gourds suspended from tree branches to deluxe high-rises with pitched roofs and balcony perches. It’s not clear exactly when this shift began, but it likely happened well before European colonization. The subspecies that breeds east of the Rockies still nests in natural cavities such as old snags and holes excavated by woodpeckers, but it’s not uncommon for people to hang empty gourds to attract martins for insect control.

When selecting a site for a purple martin house, it’s best to pick one that is open, with plenty of space in front and around the structure. This will give martins a clear view of their territory and reduce the likelihood of being attacked by predators or neighboring birds. It’s also a good idea to install a guard on the top of the house, which will prevent hawks and other birds from raiding the eggs or chicks.

Once a nesting pair has selected a location, they will begin the long process of constructing their nest. Depending on the subspecies, it can take between four and six weeks for a pair to complete their nest. Both sexes will build the nest, which is typically made from straw, sticks and pine needles. Once a nest is finished, it will be covered with feathers to make it less visible and protected from potential predators.

Purple martins are very sensitive to cold temperatures, which can kill more of them than all other causes of mortality combined. They’re also vulnerable to invasive predators, such as crows and starlings. And logging practices that remove the dead trees that they need for nesting may have a negative impact on their populations (see our Conservation Strategy).

But with proper housing and a dependable source of food, you can help purple martins survive and thrive. By putting up https://dxnest.com/to-yen-sao/ , you’ll be rewarded with the sight of these engaging birds throughout the breeding season and into fall when they head back to South America for their winter roosts. To learn more about how to attract and manage purple martins, visit All About Birdhouses or the WDFW website. And be sure to report any wildlife you see using our WDFW wildlife reporting form. Your observations are valuable in helping us provide the habitat that martins need to thrive.